Zimbabwe's First Lady Grace Mugabe has sparked outrage after claiming that women are to blame for rape if they wear mini skirts and revealing clothing.

'If you walk around wearing mini skirts displaying your thighs and inviting men to drool over you, then you want to complain when you have been raped? It's unfortunate because it will be your fault,' she said.

Speaking in Shona, Mrs Mugabe made the comments whilst speaking at a large ZANU conference in Mberengwa on Friday.

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Mrs Mugabe made the comments in Zimbabwe's second official language Shona. She was speaking at a large ZANU conference, where the ruling party was trying to gain support in Mberengwa

She went on to make several suggestions for women on how to prevent rape, mainly suggesting that they should wear trousers instead of mini skirts.

'Wear clothes like Mai Mugabe or you can chose trousers, but not those which are too tight. These types of clothes are the signs of moral decadence in our country,' she claimed.

Her comments have been met with outrage on social media, with users questioning Grace Mugabe's controversial views on rape.

'I wonder where she got the empirical evidence to support this claim!!' claimed Arther Chatora on social media.

A second commenter, known only as @LynnBlaze condemned Mrs Mugabe's rape comments, saying: 'Leaders excusing rape is part of the problem.'

The news comes as Zimbabwe's first lady revealed her plans to get a 'special' wheelchair for her 91-year-old husband so that he can continue to rule.

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Speaking at a political rally last week, Grace Mugabe told supporters that she would get a wheelchair for her husband, President Robert Mugabe, to use.

In the televised speech, Mugabe, 50, vowed to push the wheelchair herself, taking a swipe at critics who say her husband is too old to govern.

Mugabe told supporters she would ensure her husband, who has ruled Zimbabwe since independence in 1980, remains in power as long as he can still speak.

The Zimbabwean president's critics have questioned his ability to rule after he read the wrong speech in parliament. Several stumbles at public events have made headlines.

Grace Mugabe went on to make several suggestions for women on how to prevent rape, mainly suggesting that they should wear trousers instead of mini skirts

Grace Mugabe (right) recently revealed that she is planning on creating a 'special' chair for her husband so he can continue ruling

Robert Mugabe has frequently been mocked online social media for several unfortunate photo timings

The ailing leader continues to rule Zimbabwe and remains their only leader since independence in 1980

The 50-year-old First Lady recently denied she had any ambitions to be president, although analysts believe she remains a strong candidate to succeed her husband.

Grace, a former typist in President Robert Mugabe's office before they married, was hoisted into the top echelons of ZANU-PF last December after attacking former vice president Joice Mujuru, who was later fired by the veteran leader.

'People are suffering while we are fighting for positions,' Grace Mugabe told supporters in the Harare township of Mbare, the Herald newspaper reported.

'I am standing here as the wife of our President and as someone whom you chose to lead the women. I am ending here and I don't need an other position.'

Despite being one of only two sworn-in senior members ZANU-PF, Grace Mugabe may not be able to rally the widespread support needed to lead the ruling party without the protection of her husband, analysts say.

Grace Mugabe played no significant role in the 1970s liberation struggle against white colonial rule, often viewed as a pre-requisite for any ZANU-PF leader.

Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a hardline Mugabe loyalist known as 'The Crocodile', in September cemented his status as heir to Mugabe after getting close allies appointed to important cabinet posts and securing the tasks of reforming the economy and legal system.

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Robert Mugabe's wife Grace tells women not to ‘wear mini-skirts inviting men to rape’